Synonyms of stern

stern 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstərn 

1

as in strict

given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint

the army post's stern commander always had the utmost respect of those who served under him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strict
• harsh
• authoritarian
• tough
• rigid
• rigorous
• severe
• gruff
• relentless
• hard
• merciless
• hardened
• austere
• flinty
• steadfast
• ramrod
• demanding
• heavy-handed
• unbending
• adamant
• implacable
• pitiless
• uncompromising
• stiff
• exacting
• unforgiving
• dour
• unyielding
• unrelenting
• bullying
• callous
• inflexible
• unsparing
• hard-line
• ascetic
• immovable
• determined
• uncharitable
• unflinching
• adamantine
• obstinate
• monkish
• monastic
• ossified
• hard-hearted
• rock-ribbed
• dogged
• firm
• resolved
• intractable
• single-minded
• browbeating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gentle
• lenient
• lax
• tolerant
• indulgent
• easy
• forbearing
• mild
• easygoing
• patient
• soft
• kind
• merciful
• charitable
• undemanding
• clement
• accepting
• responsive
• willing
• yielding
• laid-back
• softhearted
• flexible
• compliant
• agreeable
• complaisant
• amenable
• pliant
• acquiescent
• pliable
• compromising

2

as in gruff

harsh and threatening in manner or appearance

a stern receptionist took our names without even looking up

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gruff
• fierce
• grim
• intimidating
• rugged
• hostile
• severe
• forbidding
• bleak
• rough
• dour
• stark
• steely
• lowering
• austere
• hardened
• flinty
• ungentle
• stubborn
• solemn
• somber
• cold
• dark
• resolute
• rigid
• black
• steadfast
• stiff
• unflinching
• unbending
• determined
• moody
• adamant
• implacable
• obstinate
• uncompromising
• unsympathetic
• unfriendly
• bound
• unrelenting
• unyielding
• purposeful
• serious
• inhospitable
• firm
• inimical
• obdurate
• willful
• inflexible
• intent
• sullen
• fixed
• resolved
• sulky
• unsmiling
• immovable
• hardheaded
• humorless
• surly
• melancholy
• morose
• unchangeable
• cheerless
• immutable
• gloomy
• joyless
• hard
• melancholic
• mulish
• grave
• brooding
• glum
• staid
• sober
• set
• weighty
• self-willed
• ironhanded
• sobersided

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gentle
• mild
• benign
• soft
• tender
• meek
• benignant
• mellow
• quiet
• easy
• bland
• soothing
• sweet
• cheerful
• pleasant
• tranquil
• bright
• agreeable
• pleasing
• nonintimidating
• happy
• inviting
• merry
• glad
• sunny
• playful
• lighthearted
• mirthful
• silly
• goofy
• frivolous
• giddy
• flighty
• scatterbrained
• harebrained
• featherbrained
• light-headed

stern

2 of 2

noun

as in beam

Related Words

• beam
• rear
• haunches
• posterior
• backside
• tail
• cheeks
• butt
• rump
• seat
• behind
• rear end
• tail end
• breech
• bum
• fanny
• caboose
• buttocks
• fundament
• duff
• nates
• booty
• buns
• hams
• tush
• hunkers
• heinie
• bottom
• derriere
• keister
• moon
• can

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective stern contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stern are ascetic, austere, and severe. While all these words mean "given to or marked by strict discipline and firm restraint," stern stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper or character.

stern arbiters of public morality

Where would ascetic be a reasonable alternative to stern?

In some situations, the words ascetic and stern are roughly equivalent. However, ascetic implies abstention from pleasure and comfort or self-indulgence as spiritual discipline.

the ascetic life of the monks

When can austere be used instead of stern?

The meanings of austere and stern largely overlap; however, austere stresses absence of warmth, color, or feeling and may apply to rigorous restraint, simplicity, or self-denial.

living an austere life in the country

When is severe a more appropriate choice than stern?

While the synonyms severe and stern are close in meaning, severe implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity and may suggest harshness.

severe military discipline

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stern

Adjective

Weeks before that shooting, police Superintendent Larry Snelling issued a stern public rebuke of COPA during a meeting of the Chicago Police Board. —Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026

Off the ice, Knies speaks with a sterner tone at times, with his injury likely weighing on him. —Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026

Noun

The fire has since been put out, but the vessel has since sunk into the bay, with just its stern out of the water. —Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025

Several parts of the exhibit are hands-on, Bostock noted, including an activity at the beginning that allows visitors to participate in the Boston Tea Party political protest by pushing a lever and dropping a chest of tea off the stern of a boat. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 9 Dec. 2025

Phrases Containing stern

• from stem to stern